Tottenham’s slow start to the Premier League has been quite a bewildering situation for the North London club. Leaving their supporters and manager questioning results after the opening five games.
Pochettino’s side finished 2014/15 season in fantastic form which saw them finish fifth and qualify comfortably for the Europa league.
Supporters did expect the Spurs to continue their momentum into the new season however, their start has been quite the opposite.
Spurs have only six points to show from their opening five rounds. With a loss and three draws before last weekend, Tottenham only managed to achieve their first win of the season with a one nil victory over Sunderland last weekend.
This could be related to the numerous injuries currently marring Pochettino’s squad.
Spurs are currently without Bentaleb, Dembele, Eriksen and Mason are sidelined leaving their manager with a very limited selection of midfielders available to him.
Whilst this is an obvious setback to Pochettino’s new campaign, Spurs have been dealing with a greater issue that is their heavy reliance on young English striker Harry Kane.
Kane had a breakout year for Spurs, bursting onto the Premier League scene with a total of 21 league goals and 10 more in other competitions last season. In what will be remembered as one for the greatest debut season for any young English player.
However, this season has seen Kane become Tottenham’s only out and out striker option.
As the summer transfer window saw Spurs sell Roberto Soldado and delist Emmanuel Adebayor leaving Kane as the only existing striker from Pochettino’s squad last season.
Whilst Tottenham was expected to sign fellow English youngster Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion, it wasn’t to be. As the deal fell through as the Baggies refused to let the youngster leave the club rejecting all of Tottenham’s pursuits.
Pochettino’s side did add the very skilful and dangerous Son Heung-Min from Bayern Leverkusen over the summer.
Although the Korean has been utilised in as a winger in the past, his delightful brace in Tottenham’s three one victory over Qarabag FK in the Europa League was a relief for Spurs supporters.
While Kane is expiring a dry-spout in front of goal, Pochettino may be forced to use his new signing in a striker role till Kane rediscovers his lethal goal-scoring form.
With Kane yet to find the back of the net this season, the pressure for him to return to his goalscoring form of last season increases with every passing match.
At 22, Kane is still developing as a player. Whilst he has a whole Premier League season behind him, he is currently undergoing what every striker experiences in their career.
This goal drought is frustrating for Kane, his manager and the supporters yet, Spurs may not be able to afford the youngster a great amount of time to find form.
There is no doubt that Mauricio Pochettino will be patient with the youngster, however, his game time could become limited as his Korean counterpart shows exactly why Tottenham signed him this season.
After their Europa League win, Tottenham will be looking to keep their winning momentum rolling against Crystal Palace this weekend. Giving Pochettino a tough task in selecting a matchday squad for their clash against Crystal Palace.
Don’t be surprised if the manager selects his Heung-Min over Kane as Spurs look to make up lost points early in the season.
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